By Dan Walsh
Wexford Walking Trails, with the support of Wexford County Council, Healthy Wexford and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) are inviting people to get outdoors and explore some of Co. Wexford’s fabulous country trails during 2024.
All are welcome. It may be a chilly, but weather conditions will be ‘dry’ for the first walk of the New Year taking place tomorrow (Sunday), just 17kms from Gorey and it’s the Croghan Mountain Walking Trail.
The walk will take place on an established and fully Sport Ireland accredited trail. The trail is graded as moderate and is suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness, but care is required. Good outdoor walking footwear, suitable clothing and snacks and/ or drinks are all recommended.
The walk commences at the entrance to Ratheenleagh Windfarm on the Ballyfad-Woodenbridge Road. The Irish name for Croghan is Cruachán Chinnsealaigh which signifies the association of the area with the ancient Uí Chinnsealaigh clan.
Meeting at the entrance to Raheenleagh Wind Farm at 2pm, the walk should take about two a half hours to complete over a distance of eight kilometres with an ascent of 300 metres. Teas/coffees/biscuits will be served in the Ballyfad Community Centre after the walk.
“In 1795 the area on the north-eastern flank of the mountain at Ballinvalley was the subject of Ireland’s only gold rush. Nuggets of gold were found in the stream (the Gold Mines River) and once word got out there was a rush of people to the area. It estimated that over 3,000 ounces of gold were removed by panning,” Peter O’Connor, Chairman Wexford Walking Trails told WexfordLocal.com, however, he cannot guarantee that any gold will emerge on tomorrow’s walking trail, but he does assure participants; “If weather conditions are right, you may be able to get a glimpse of the Welsh Mountains across the Irish Sea.”
WexfordLocal.com 